This Day in History: 2023-09-27

SEPTEMBER 27^th

Moving more than 490,000 copies in less than a week, Metallica’s “Death Magnetic” debuts at #1 on the Billboard 200. Metallica is the first band ever to have five albums debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 (U2, The Beatles and Dave Matthews Band each have four). 2008

Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography, “Born To Run,” is available in hardcover, ebook and audiobook editions.  He writes about the “roots of his troubles and the joyful things” in his life.  2016

Godsmack’s ’18 album, “When Legends Rise,” is certified gold by the RIAA  (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of half a million copies. 2021

The album was released in ’18.

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Heavyweight guitarist Randy Bachman (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) starts his life in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 1943

Like a bat out of hell, Meat Loaf (Michael Lee Aday), is born. 1947 (Meat Loaf claims it’s actually ’51).

Stephan Douglas Jenkins of Third Eye Blind, enters the world. 1964

The Beach Boys, performing “I Get Around,” make their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. 1964

Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Green River” is one of several of their songs to just miss the #1 spot. It peaks at #2. 1969

It’s reported that Carlos Santana, a disciple of Sri Chinmoy, has changed his name to Devadip (The Lamp of the Light Supreme) but will keep the name Santana for the group. 1973

Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein has a birthday. The “Portlandia” star hails from Seattle, not the Rose City. 1974

The Runaways’ European tour gets off to a rocky start after London’s White House Hotel reports some stolen items – including a hair dryer. They are found in the group’s possession. The band spends the night in jail. 1976

Brad Arnold, vocalist for 3 Doors Down, has a birthday. 1978

Former Wings guitarist Jimmy McCulloch dies at the age of 26. No cause is listed. 1979

Avril Lavigne (born Avril Ramona Lavigne Whibley) has a birthday. 1984

Bassist Cliff Burton dies in the tragic black ice bus accident in Sweden while Metallica is en route from Stockholm to Copenhagen, Denmark, touring in support of their “Master Of Puppets” CD. 1986

The Beatles’ version of “Twist And Shout” hits the charts again (peaks at #23) thanks to being heard in the films “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Back To School.” The song was originally recorded by the Isley Brothers. 1986

Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Bruce Springsteen Sheryl Crow and John Fogerty head out on the Vote For Change tour. The artists want to oust President Bush from the White House. The economy is struggling, the war in Iraq is a disaster and Bush likes Country music – so why not? 2004

System Of A Down and the Armenian National Committee of America stage a rally outside Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert’s offices in Batavia, IL. They urge the congressman to allow a full vote by the House of Representatives on legislation recognizing Armenian Genocide. 2005

John Mellencamp and his song “Our Country” are featured in an advertising campaign for Chevrolet’s ’07 Silverado pickup truck. Mellencamp says the partnership “makes perfect sense” because Chevy is an American company and his song “is all about standing up for the working people who are the backbone of our nation.” 2006

It’s been on again/off again for so long but finally Van Halen launch their tour with original singer/showman David Lee Roth in Charlotte, NC. However, this is not the complete original line-up. Eddie’s son Wolfgang replaces bassist Michael Anthony. 2007

Bono (U2) is awarded the Liberty Medal for his humanitarian work in Africa during a ceremony in Philadelphia. “When you are trapped by poverty, you are not free,” says Bono. “When trade laws prevent you from selling the food you grew, you are not free.” 2007

The 3D film “Metallica: Through The Never” has the biggest opening for a concert film ever at IMAX theaters. It appears on 308 3D IMAX screens a week before its general release and takes in $780,000 on its first day. 2013

Neil Young and Willie Nelson perform at a benefit concert on a farm near Neligh, Nebraska that is on the route of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline and also crosses the historic Ponca Tribe “Trail of Tears.”  Proceeds from the “Harvest the Hope” goes to Bold Nebraska, the Indigenous Environmental Network and the Cowboy & Indian Alliance, to fund the ongoing fight against the Keystone XL pipeline. 2016

Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) goes on a short tour to promote his book “The Storyteller – Tales Of Life And Music,” a collection of memories. “Dave Grohl: The Storyteller Live And In Person” begins in London before moving to New York, Washington D.C and L.A.  2021

The second Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert is at the Kia Forum in L.A. with Foo Fighters, Joan Jett, Travis Barker (Blink 182), Wolfgang Van Halen and Rush (among others). Hawkins, the Foo Fighters drummer, passed away the previous March while on tour. 2022